Updates on the last pages: Neighbor is threatening me and my chickens

[Smileybans]

3-72, Section 2. THAT SUCKS
(In my professional opinion)

Talk about an incredibly poorly written statute. When as and if the Village gets around to rewriting their Code, that's in need of an update. Based on my look at your map, there can't be but a literal handful (five or fewer) properties where that is possible.

And for others asking, that ordinance went into effect in 1972. I found nothing in the modern (online) code which contradicts it, and at least in 2004, the zoning boards and counsel were aware of it. Dogs are covered in the online Code. Cats too. Livestock get nary a mention, except early on in the definitions.

Is there any way to fight this stupidity? I want to ask the mayors wife but I don’t think she would know.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Apply for an exemption, based on long standing practice (how many years has your coop been where it is???) - but its always more difficult to get a zoning exemption after you are cited than before the tickets get written.

Otherwise, the best fight is simply to get the Ordinance amended - which doesn't help in the short term.

I will observe that, at the moment, there is a resurgence of interest in backyard chicken ownership, and that the setback in your code is far out of the usual in places that permit backyard ownership. Interesting to me, the ordinance basically forces the few people who can own chickens in the village to keep them quite close to your waterway, nearing (or in) the flood plain. That's just bad policy, in my view.

 

[Smileybans]

Apply for an exemption, based on long standing practice (how many years has your coop been where it is???) - but its always more difficult to get a zoning exemption after you are cited than before the tickets get written.

Otherwise, the best fight is simply to get the Ordinance amended - which doesn't help in the short term.

I will observe that, at the moment, there is a resurgence of interest in backyard chicken ownership, and that the setback in your code is far out of the usual in places that permit backyard ownership. Interesting to me, the ordinance basically forces the few people who can own chickens in the village to keep them quite close to your waterway, nearing (or in) the flood plain. That's just bad policy, in my view.

I’ll try and fight it. I’ll move the coop for now but I’m going to fight it. The coop has only been there a year. But if I can get it amended then I will move the coop back. There’s no moving my run. It’s cemented in. There are resources on here about how to get ordinances amended?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

There are resources on here about how to get ordinances amended?

Maybe?

I've not looked. In the face of onerous ordinances, I moved. To the middle of nowhere.

 

[Smileybans]

Maybe?

I've not looked. In the face of onerous ordinances, I moved. To the middle of nowhere.

I’m looking into that too. But I know other people keep chickens and town and don’t want it ruined for them as well. If I can get this stupid ordinance changed all the better for anyone who decides to keep chickens ahead of me. I’ll comply as much as I can but also find as many work arounds too.

 

[Jenwisp]

I live a county or so over from you, Smileybans. Our town is broken into 4 areas. One of the areas is considered a historical area and doesn't share the same rules as the other, right to farm areas. I wonder if you could find some town line like we have that exempts your particular area? I have driven through your town many times and there are definitely farm areas! There has to be some exception somewhere.

I agree with the person above.. i would find out dog ordinances, too. And barring that, i would try to get bitten by his dog! This guy is ticking me off! Maybe you could report him for drunkenly beating his dog?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

And barring that, i would try to get bitten by his dog! This guy is ticking me off! Maybe you could report him for drunkenly beating his dog?

That is not the right thing to do. All it would do is harm the dog and/or make the OP untrustworthy

 

[Jenwisp]

Also, is it possible your coop was there before you moved in? Maybe there is a grandfather law you can find to save its location?

 

[Jenwisp]

That is not the right thing to do. All it would do is harm the dog and/or make the OP untrustworthy

I know and I am just venting. :/

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Also, is it possible your coop was there before you moved in? Maybe there is a grandfather law you can find to save its location?

the ordinance was passed in 1972. That's a LONG time ago. Particularly for a coop which has been in place only a year or so.